Heinrich Klaasen. South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter, has decided to retire from Test cricket with immediate effect. His Test career spanned four matches from 2019 to 2023, with his last appearance coming against the West Indies, at the Wanderers, in March 2023. Klaasen accumulated 104 Test runs at an average of 13 with the best score of 35.
This announcement follows closely after the retirement of Dean Elgar, who recently played his final Test match against India in Cape Town. Despite not being part of the recent Test series at home against India, Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad had emphasized that Klaasen could come into the equation for the tours to the subcontinent.
“After a few sleepless nights wondering if I am making the right decision, I have decided to retire from red-ball cricket. It’s a difficult decision that I have made because it is by far my favourite format of the game.
“The battles that I faced on and off the field have made me the cricketer I am today. It has been a great journey and I am glad I could have represented my country. My baggy Test cap is the most precious cap I have ever been handed. Thanks to everyone that has played a part in my red-ball career and shaped me into the cricketer I am today. But for now a new challenge awaits and I am looking forward to it,” the Cricket South Africa (CSA) release quoted him as saying.
The right-handed batter played 85 First-class games, amassing a total of 5,347 runs at an impressive average of 46.09. Klaasen’s notable achievements in First-class cricket include 12 centuries, 24 half-centuries, and a highest score of 292. While he will no longer participate in the longer format, Klaasen remains available for selection in white-ball formats.